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Is it a good place to move to? I am thinking of renting a condo in the golf club for a year.
What should a 3 bedroom one cost and how much am I looking at in utility costs?
Are there places to shop for food?
Kindergartens?
Medical facilities?
Restaurants?
Is it a safe place to live?
Thanks for any input.
Between $1500 and $2000 for rent and utilities for a 3br.Originally Posted by Sir Stressalot
Everything is there and it is quite safe i think. At least thats the impression i got when i visited.
Only thing is that i have heard that it is pretty dead (boring) on weekdays.
I would expect yes on all questions. But expensive.
I don't want excitement. I want good weather, descent food stores, not worrying about home invasions, kindergarten for my son, Internet for my work, TV for the wife, restaurants and take out food. I read about the roads, how bad are they?
Theyre fine long as u get a suv. Even a sedan would do but theres a pothole every here and there so suv is better. That even goes for the city btw. All the rest is there too just dont expect anything fancy. I had ok steak and ok seafood in ok restaurants. Nothing special but nothing crappy either. Internet should be ok although i had cell phone probs where i was staying but a few 100 ms down the road i could make calls againjust test yr cell when u go appt shopping.
Sir Stressalot (07-22-2011)
U'll be fine then! I would still advice u to go check it out first cause i can imagine panama can be disappointing to people. what u read and what u get are 2 totally different things, although this forum is pretty realistic.
I agree with you totally. Internet info is sugar coated. It is best to come for a visit. I have been there twice (Coronado, Gorgona area)...we are counting down on our trail period. 13 months to go!
That goes without saying, I am in town at this moment. Will go to Coronado tomorrow. I am not an IL drone.
have fun!
Hi!
Come and enjoy the area. There are many restaurants in the area (Panama Pacific Riveria Restaurant Recommendations (www.whypanama.com) lists a bunch of restaurants in the area) including McDonalds, Subway, KFC, Domino's pizza. There are 2 grocery stores/pharmacies open 24 hours per day, medical clinic, private international school, etc. The roads sucks as you get to the security gate. Have you checked out the website www.playacommunity.com ?
I hope this gives you some of your answers.
Mary
www.whypanama.com
Sir Stressalot (07-22-2011)
Your site claims there is nothing from the entrance of El Valle on up to El Valle? What about Restaurant Paraiso 3km in on the left? Owned by a gringa, they offer great food at fair prices. The 2 fondas near the entrance of El Valle suck big time. Don't bother. Ty's in El Valle rocks. Great food and Canadian run.
Cholo's hands down has the best burritos in Panama. Forget about Mrs. Mendoza's. They have no idea how to cook Mexican.
You forgot Sunset Bar in Coronado Mall. Good food and air conditioned. Some items on the menu are not so great, but many are very good. Their fettucine alfredo is excellent, fillete de corvina, patacones rellenos are all good.
Don Chacho's is hit or miss, but they have killer frosties/chichas, and their Almejas al ajillo (clams in garlic sauce) is to die for. They also have a new sauteed vegetable platter that is excellent.
A new restaurant called Dad's BBQ (the old Twister) has a very limited menu, but great food at low prices. They can grill up a storm.
Tratoria Italiana behind Todo al Carbon (old Picasso pizza location) has great pizza (better value than new Picasso) but their pastas aren't that great. Their Hawaiin pizza is the best I've had. Great beef carpacio too.
Bamboo Express up in the food court has good Chinese food.
Overall the dining scene in Coronado is getting better, but still very weak by first world standards. Not a whole lot of creative dishes. Just the safe standard fare. i.e. boring.
BalaBeacher (07-24-2011), Sir Stressalot (07-22-2011)
Hey Gordo!!
On the website I stated that these were restaurants that we had been to and could recommend. If I can't say anything nice about them I WILL NOT list them. I also asked for people to email me about restaurants not listed so we could try them out.
THANKS for the heads up about Dad's BBQ, Tratoria Italiana, and Sunset. I'll have to get hubby off the hill to take me out to lunch or dinner at those 3.
Mary
www.whypanama.com
mary you know what is happening there , i have read they have a organic market once a month on sat AM , any idea if it is still being done because I can not find it on the calender on any sat AM just nascar and AA meetings .
Hi NAKED!!!
I believe they have been having it inside the gates at the Picasso Restaurant. I am still getting my stuff at the vendors in El Valle on the weekends.
My husband said that The Visitor had a big article on it recently, July 8-14 page 27. It is a monthly thing.
Mary
www.whypanama
yes I read a story on the web and they said it was at the restaurant and to check the play community calander , but it is not listed on any sat AM for july or aug , all it shows for sat is nascar , which i like , and AA and that is just for quiters LOL
OK I have spent a day looking at properties and condos in Coronado.
The sand on the beach is BLACK!!!
Never seen something like that.
I found lots of stores restaurants everything what you really need right there no need to go to PC for a thing really.
I was happy to see the pools with many kids and adults, at least it is not a ghost condo. Talking about the Coronado Country Club.
I wish there were people who could play tennis though, I am told in the country club there are good players, I will get a membership. If all goes well I will be renting there for a year then build something.
I am very impressed.
There is a unique social dynamic in Coronado that you will learn about during your first year stay. It's something you don't read about in the guide books. Good luck.
[QUOTE=Sir Stressalot;.
The sand on the beach is BLACK!!!
Never seen something like that
well just wait until you step on it on a sunny day , you have never felt anything like that also . LOL
Check out Gorgona beach. Lighter, and much nicer beach.
He wasn't complaining, he was happy (very impressed) with the beach.
Sir:
Welcome to the area. When you are exploring the area, please stop by our house on the way to El Valle!!
Matt & Mary
www.whypanama.com
Thank you.
I am coming from a Caribbean island nation with pink sand. Black sand was weird. I felt the heat through my flip flops. No strolling above the water line.
Gordo you sound like an exile with bitterness showing in every post.
If I don't like a place I move on. This is not Cuba, I know I visited there a lot.
What is the "Unique Dynamics" you are referring at?
I will not be pining for the USA as I never been there.
I plan on spending a year renting then I will decide if we stay or if we go back.
If we stay I will build something.
Now if I could only find a way to buy and drive a car without hassle and on the tourist visa thing I would not worry about a thing any more.
Maybe I will love it maybe I will hate it. My expectations as far as locals go are not too high having lived more than a decade with natives on our island. In a condo I will have the luxury of easing into the local culture at my own pace. Coronado seems like a self contained community where I can do so. Prices in Super99 are the same or less than I have to put up with where I live and the variety of product is much greater. Not to mention other expenses which are dirt cheap compared to my island.
Life is too short to live it in one place if you got other options. No country is all good, I lived in 3 so far for a decade or more each. Panama has this going for and against it as I see it at first glance:
Pros:
Good roads, good infrastructure
Cheaper food and gas and clothes (for me)
Cheaper electricity (for me).
Business opportunities.
Cheap health care.
Cons:
Government is interfering more with lives than I am used to (taxes, police, immigration, bureaucracy) but I am spoiled
Climate is a bit too muggy for my taste, heat doesn't bother me.
The beach does not compare to where I am coming from (the sand is one thing but the clarity of water does not compare) but it is no big deal, I am not a beach comber even on our island.
These are my first impressions.
Belize on the other hand...
Let me not start on that subject to prevent an international incident.
Hey Sir!
You couldn't have said it better. You will find out first hand once you are here and can explore more of the country!
I love where we are at, about 10-15 minutes from the beaches but I am in the "mountains". I thought I was a beach person until we built our home and we have been here 6 years now. I don't have a/c and love it here - close enough to everything and yet far enough away for the peace and quiet!! Our first retirement home we bought in 1988 planning for the future in Cabo Mexico - I haven't been there in 11 years since we found PANAMA. I still own the place and will probably put it on the market next month. I still have a home in the Midwest that I haven't been to in almost 3 years. I don't want to leave PANAMA. We have told the kids if they want to see us they have to come here!! (LOL)
Mary
www.whypanama.com
Last edited by whypanama; 07-23-2011 at 11:21 PM. Reason: typo
No sir, I'm just a realist. I've lived in Panama for a while in the area you are considering moving to. I know the dynamics here. You don't. I'm just giving you a heads up. Lots of people come here with false notions. You will learn first hand the social dynamics here, the different groups and how they all fit in the puzzle and where you will fit in.
I can tell you that more people want out from behind the Coronado gates than in. Houses and land are way overpriced there. Lots of petty theft and break ins. Ask around. Unruly rich kids playing loud music, breaking traffic rules. They love beer. Just go to the Rey and see case after case go out the door. Nothing wrong with beer, but this area is a beer and party town. If that's your thing then you will like it.
Playing a round of golf in the 90's muggy heat? Not fun. Dining options here are abysmal. Only standard fare playing it safe food. Nothing inventive. Although in the good old boys golf club you have a couple of nice restaurants, members only of course.
I hope it works out for you. Listen to people on the ground who know more than you about a place. I have not even mentioned the manana, I don't care, take advantage of the gringo, drive and park like shit syndrome which is another book in itself. But that topic has been beaten to death on here already.
Do tell about Belize. Nothing wrong with informing others who may consider moving there.
[QUOTE=Sir Stressalot;64427]. This is not Cuba,
Now if I could only find a way to buy and drive a car without hassle and on the tourist visa thing I would not worry about a thing any more.
hi , 2 things , first this not being Cuba , in my mind that is too bad , I have been there 6 times and just love the place , the nicest people I have ever meet . I would be living there in a heartbeat if the goverment was accepting newcomers , I asked . they are not . ans second , I was told by the folks at the motor vehicle office before I got my cudula that if I got a panama drivers licence that it would expire the same day as a tourist visa , seeing that the tourist visa is good for 180 now , you would have to renew then , I think it costs $55 to get one , so if avoiding the 90-180 hassle is worth $55 then that is the way to go . as far as owning a car there is no prolbem there , i own one years before I moved here , I just parked it on my finca I had bought and locked the door , it was always there when I came back .
Let's just say all those raving posts about Ambergris Caye are delusional. The beach does not impress, roads are nonexistent except in San Pedro, it took me 1.5 hours to drive 5 miles in a gold cart to the North, garbage and rotting things everywhere along that road. SWAMP with bird size mosquitoes that will attack even at noon,overpriced stores selling a very limited assortment of goods. If you see a property lets say listed for $300,000.00 what they will take is a third of that but mark it up like idiots anyway. Businesses are desperate for patrons, watching restaurant owners is like watching a fly that is being tortured by an evil boy. You feel like squashing them to put them out of their misery. Transportation is based on golf carts which is a good thing if you got kidney stones cause you gonna pass them guaranteed.
Downtown is a heap of dusty shacks with the occasional newer building, the expat community radiating a kind of quiet desperation of exiles trying to put a good face on.
Belize city feels dangerous even in daylight. The top hotel looks like it will crumble any minute due to lack of maintenance.
The only thing I found nice there are the people.
Hard working, helpful and cheerful.
That country needs a lot of foreign investment and 20 years of development to consider living there.
But this is only me, I maybe too critical, you decide. If I am and I say I like what I see in Panama so far, imagine Belize.
But this forum is about Panama/Living.
I don't drink, I am used to drunks throwing parties, bad driving, thieves, traffic rules are meant to be broken
As I said my expectations are not sky high, we are not spoiled rotten and will adapt. Things that are important to me are:
- Good daycare for my son.
- Good supermarket with affordable and wide selection of goods
- The government staying out my ass
- People not murdering us and kicking our door down to rob us
- Venues for exercise
- Access to local food
- ROADS and clean water
- Not being devoured by insects and snakes
- Internet and TV
I got one question though. If we have another baby that is born while we are here how does that change our immigration status and what nationality will the baby be (besides ours)? Not looking to make an anchor baby but if there are benefits to the baby born here the better.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Belize. I too had researched Belize to see if it was worth a visit but the overall feedback from travelers (Tripadvisor & Travelpod) was that only a few cayes were worth visiting while the main land was not. They kept saying the place is not what you think it will be. Basically my conclusion was that most of the country is an overrated dump. That alone caused me to write the place off. And you have just confirmed it for me.Let's just say all those raving posts about Ambergris Caye are delusional. The beach does not impress, roads are nonexistent except in San Pedro, it took me 1.5 hours to drive 5 miles in a gold cart to the North, garbage and rotting things everywhere along that road. SWAMP with bird size mosquitoes that will attack even at noon,
Downtown is a heap of dusty shacks with the occasional newer building, the expat community radiating a kind of quiet desperation of exiles trying to put a good face on.
Belize city feels dangerous even in daylight. The top hotel looks like it will crumble any minute due to lack of maintenance.
The only thing I found nice there are the people.
Hard working, helpful and cheerful.
That country needs a lot of foreign investment and 20 years of development to consider living there.
But this is only me, I maybe too critical, you decide. If I am and I say I like what I see in Panama so far, imagine Belize.
I appreciate how you were honest about your assessment of Belize. You told it like it was from your own eyes. I'm sure the poor soul expats who made Belize their home (and probably regret it) would be flaming you by now if this were a Belize forum. But as you said this is a Panama forum so that won't happen.
By your description of Belize, I can assure you that Panama is a much better place than you are coming from. With that said, I am confident you will enjoy Panama and Coronado. So welcome aboard Sir!
[QUOTE=nakedguydb;64438]Nakedguy, what specifically did you like about Cuba other than the people? I'm sure the beaches are first rate. How's the food, entertainment, night life, women, cost of living?
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